P
ACTIVE FOR LIFE!
By Spencer Blalock
erhaps you’ve heard of one of Dr. Seuss’ lesser known
books “You’re Only Old Once”. It’s a candid and silly
look at later life. In one section of the story, the joys of
medications are expressed in the following words,
right now. You outnumber
millions of people and that’s a
miracle.
Did you know that in the
United States, 10,000 peo-
This small white pill is what I munch at breakfast and right
ple turn 65 everyday (Social
after lunch.
Security Administration)
I take the pill that’s kelly green before each meal and in between. Gratefully, life expectancy has
These loganberry-colored pills I take for early morning chills.
increased substantially over the
I take the pill with zebra stripes to cure my early evening gripes. last 50 years? An increase in life
These orange-tinted ones, of course, I take to cure my charley
expectancy is not a coincidence.
horse.
We have been blessed with
I take three blues at half past eight to slow my exhalation rate.
advances in science that have
On alternate nights at nine p.m. I swallow pinkies. Four of
helped us understand what
hurts us and what helps us.
them.
The reds, which make my eyebrows strong, I eat like popcorn all
One of the challenges of
day long.
aging is learning how to adapt
Blalock
The speckled browns are what I keep beside my bed to help me
and adjust. Regardless of how
sleep.
uneasy it makes us, remember that we were created with
This long flat one is what I take if I should die before I wake.
sufficient adaptability to respond to challenges by changing.
You are not a tree whose roots are “dug in” to the point of
If you can identify the realities of change, whether it be a
not being able to be replanted. You can adjust to change. But,
more occasional aspirin or a regimen of hourly take this, do
you must remember that it is a choice of how you adjust.
that, and avoid so-and-so, you are both rare and common.
A great thinker of our time said it so well, “I am not a
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You
are
a human
surviving
all sorts of odds
to be present
(Stephen Covey). That applies to so many areas of life. One
of the areas in which individuals above 55 years of age often
feel challenged is feeling both a desire to be active and a com-
peting desire to be still. That’s a very normal feeling.
Being active is not merely “getting out walking,” though
that is a healthy activity. Being active includes being mentally
active, spiritually active, and physically active. Mental activi-
ty includes reading useful materials, engaging in challenging
activities, and engaging in meaningful conversations (rather
than tending to isolate). Spiritual activity includes prayer,
meditation, service to others, worship alone or in a communi-
ty. Physical activity includes getting up from a place of rest,
stretching more, getting sunlight and clean air, moving your
body and joints to help move the blood throughout your sys-
tem.
So, what is recommended for the readers of this article?
First, remember you are a human learning how to live with
different challenges than you had in the past (give yourself
a break for being one of us real humans). Second, remember
that your body is the vehicle of your life (regular mainte-
nance and repair are necessary). Third, remember that in the
process of maintenance and repair, it must initially start as a
thought in the mind, then grow as a simple plan for change
(write down something active you will do that is likely to
be reasonable and fulfilling), and finally act upon your plan.
Beautiful, functional and confident smiles using the
You may think, “What does it matter?” It matters because
latest technology — let us bring out your best
you matter. Invest in you by remaining active.
You will reap the rewards of your choices!
by providing gentle dentistry with stunning results.
Start 2020 with a smile!
1927 23rd Avenue • Meridian, MS
Visit AustinWHolmesDMD.com
601.693.0250
• Spencer Blalock, DHA, LCSW, BCD, is a clinical specialist
with Senior Care – a service of Rush Health Systems. For more
information, call 601-703-4917or visit www.rushhealthsystems.
org/seniorcare
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